House of Qing royal architect family needs protection

Jiujiang (CNS) -- Descendants of the Leis family of royal architects are calling for the protection and renovation of their ancestral home, CSN reported on Friday. Standing for 221 years in their hometown of Yongxiu Township, Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province, the structure has sustained some weather damage.

Eight generations of the Leis family were in charge of the designs and constructions of the Qing (1644–1911) royal family for almost 260 years. Their masterpieces include the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and three halls in the Forbidden City. Their more than 20,000 buildings manifest the highest achievements of the last peak period of Chinese ancient architecture, and were listed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.

The big family residence, with vivid external embellishments typical of its age, is the only remaining trace of the Luis family in their ancestral community.

Officials of the town's financial bureau visited the house and reported to the upper provincial and city cultural relic authorities, recommending they apply for national protection for the domicile plus build a memorial hall to honor this outstanding family of architects.

The town cultural relic office has recognized the cultural value of the house, and is compiling a special report on the protection plan and applying for provincial cultural relic qualification for the cultural treasure.